I spent $75 on Halo Infinite multiplayer. Here’s what I have to show for it.
Just how far does your dollar go?
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Halo has been providing players with endless hours of first-person entertainment for over 20 years. As a legacy franchise with a firmly established fanbase, long-time players have been incredibly vocal about theirHalo Infinite multiplayerandcampaignexpectations.
There’s no denying that essentially all of the biggest multiplayer games available right now utilize some iteration of a free-to-play monetization model. Xbox and its teams completely understand this, which likely led to the decision to make Halo Infinite’s multiplayer component entirely free-to-play.
This fundamentally transformative choice has brewed some rather passionate conversations among the community. Supporters understand that providing a free-to-play experience with crossplay opens up enormous possibilities for the game’s potential player base, while critics argue that this model negatively impacts thesense of progression, and manipulates players into engaging with microtransaction sales. Regardless of where you stand on this debate, it’s clear some players would simply prefer to spend a one-time premium price tag for a more robust customization package out of the gate.
But that’s what got me thinking. What would it look like to invest the average retail cost of a video game into Halo Infinite’s multiplayer? Could a seasoned Halo player shell out a premium amount and be happy with its value proposition? I decided to put my money where my mouth is to answer these burning questions. I’ve now spent over $75 on Halo Infinite multiplayer cosmetics and progression, and here’s everything I have to show for it.
Premium Battle Pass Bundle: 2,800 credits ($28)
The Battle Pass has become a staple form of engagement and reward in free-to-play gaming. Seasonal content ladders incentivize players to return to the game and demand a set level of playtime to earn the spoils contained within. Like many other key players in the space, Halo Infinite offers a free tier to itsbattle passas well as a Premium Tier. However, as it stands in Halo Infinite multiplayer, the battle pass is currently the only means of meaningful player progression the game offers.
While most of the free tiers in the battle pass primarily consist of Challenge Swaps and XP Boosts, the paid premium track provides a healthy number of rewards to players who make their way through all 100 tiers. The Premium Battle Pass bundle costs 2,800 credits in-game, which comes out to roughly $28 and unlocks the Premium Pass and enough XP Gains to get to level 25. I purchased the Premium Pass Bundle as a way to unlock a handful of customization options outside of the incredibly lacking choices available at the start the Spartan journey.
After roughly 55 hours of playtime in Halo Infinite multiplayer so far, I’ve managed to reach tier 65 of the battle pass. This means that outside of my initial jumpstart to level 25, I’ve gained 40 tiers of progress since the beta launch. Considering Season One: Heroes of Reach lasts until May 2022, it shouldn’t be a problem for me to organically reach tier 100 before the season ends. However, I think it’s worth breaking down precisely what a player can expect after investing time and money into the battle pass. Here’s what I’ve unlocked exclusively from the Premium Pass so far:
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Fracture: Tenrai Cosmetic Bundles: 2,700 credits ($27)
In addition to its seasonal battle pass options, Halo Infinite multiplayer will also feature a selection of limited-time events with free unlockable rewards. The first was theFracture: Tenrai event. Players who log into the game and complete unique event challenges during the assigned weeks have the opportunity to earn genuinely rad samurai-themed cosmetic items and the flashy Yoroi armor core.
While there are 30 completely free tiers to the Fracture: Tenrai event that include the specialty armor core as well as unique customization options, 343 Industries also made sure to sell a host of exclusive daily and weekly bundles aimed at players who want to add some extra flair to their hard-earned Yoroi armor core. Much like the free offerings of the base Halo Infinite multiplayer experience, the Fracture: Tenrai event is somewhat limited with its rewards. Here’s what I received after spending 2,700 credits on these limited-time cosmetic bundles:
Daily and Weekly Cosmetic Bundles: 2,200 credits ($22)
The final category I’ve invested money into is the standard daily and weekly cosmetic bundles. Much like the bundles offered during the Fracture: Tenrai event, these items are only available to purchase for a limited time. Like other free-to-play titles, there is a forced sense of scarcity with these items that encourages users to buy now because they won’t be around forever. Similarly, many of the cosmetic items offered in these bundles are much more impressive than most you can earn by simply playing the game.
I’m quite aware of the psychological tactics used to drive sales of these limited-time cosmetic bundles. I, therefore, don’t personally find them egregiously predatory. However, when so many companies borrow from the same exact same monetization playbook, it’s hard to ignore the reality of how these are marketed and who these companies truly want to target. As someone who finds player expression in online gaming important, I’ve invested financial resources into Halo Infinite multiplayer to ensure my Spartan, nameplate, and in-game persona align with my tastes. Here’s what roughly 2,200 credits have granted me:
Total investment: 7,700 credits ($77)
If you count the sheer number of cosmetic items I’ve received after spending roughly $77 in Halo Infinite multiplayer, it almost seems like a remarkable value. On average, each of these items cost me just over $1 apiece, not counting consumables. Unfortunately, identifying exactly where my money has gone by itemizing all of my transactions has showcased just how dramatically the value proposition of items sways in Halo Infinite multiplayer.
At 1,000 credits, or roughly $10, there’s no denying the worth of upgrading to Halo Infinite’s Premium Pass if you plan on playing the game regularly. There are dozens of worthwhile customization unlocks, including armor cores, AI models, armor effects, and more. After a somewhat grueling progression system, 343 Industries has worked and will continue to provide a more rewarding battle pass and challenge system for players, which will unquestionably improve the sense of accomplishment and value with the Premium Pass.
On the other hand, I increasingly feel as though the limited-time cosmetic bundles don’t warrant their price tags. Frequently, I’ve been forced to purchase random emblems or shoulder pads I’m uninterested in to get the specific customization piece I actually want. Many of the color coatings for armor and weapons are tied exclusively to one object to further my frustrations here. While I was excited to unlock the Neptune’s Depth weapon coating for my Bulldog, it’s hard not to feel burned when you spend $7 and can only use this color with the Bulldog. Drastically cutting bundle prices or providing an à la carte shop for individual items would go such a long way in reducing unwanted purchases here.
It’s difficult for me to say if I feel good about many of my purchases in Halo Infinite’s multiplayer so far. I’m loving the gameplay and will undoubtedly keep playing for months and likely years to come. I also understand how much time and financial resources went into delivering one of thebest shooters on Xbox. However, I’d love for 343 Industries to be as transparent with its goals and battle pass decisions as it’s been with the development of this title.
I’d be far more willing to encourage players to spend money on Halo Infinite multiplayer if I didn’t feel as though the same somewhat manipulative practices I’ve criticized in other free-to-play games were being incorporated here. Here’s to hoping the team continues to adjust Halo Infinite multiplayer to better align with its community’s financial desires.
Halo Infinite’s multiplayer has launched a few weeks early, compiling classic arena multiplayer modes, expanded 24-player Big Team Battle, and more into one free-to-play package.
Miles Dompier is a Freelance Video Producer for Windows Central, focusing on video content for Windows Central Gaming. In addition to writing or producing news, reviews, and gaming guides, Miles delivers fun, community-focused videos for the Windows Central Gaming YouTube channel. Miles also hosts Xbox Chaturdays every Saturday, which serves as the Windows Central Gaming weekly podcast.
